Embossing machine for stamping numbers on slabs or the like



June 16, 1953 N. H. TURNER ET AL EMBOSSING MACHINE FOR STAMPING NUMBERS ON SLABSOR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 6. 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS N'EIL HERZ TURNER LLEWEILYN NORTHLLOYD sv/ g q H AT ORNEY June 16, 1953 N. H. TURNER ET AL 2,641,996

EMBOSSING MACHINE FOR STAMPING NUMBERS ON: SLABS OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 6, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN'TORS) NEIL HERZ TURNER LLEWEllYN NORTH LLOYD ATTOR NEY June 16, 1953 N. H. TURNER r-:r AL 2,641,996

EMBOSSING MACHINE FOR STAMPING NUMBERS ON SLABS OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 6. 1947 5-Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS NEIL HERZ TURNER LLEW LLYN NORTH LLOYD ATTORNEY 6 D 4 w t Y u S 1. 4 m w RMLH. 6 M W W U Y 9 s T i 2 My NTR E h |||||l|||||||l 4 I l l l I l l l I V N 2 R S A N 0 R E o 5 m n m n u n. A L EM L M w |-."-|--L -i M n m E R W m G m U P T m w R a m 4 0 m m M f G 7 3 m M 5 mm 1 w W 6 6, 1. A e m m n J F June 16, 1953 v N. H. TURNER ET AL 2,641,995

EMBOSSING MACHINE FOR STAMPING NUMBERS 0N SLABS OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 6, 19 47 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mvernohs- NEILHERZ TURNER LLEWE YN NORTH ILOYD ATTORNEY Patented June 16, 1953 EMBOSSIN G MACHINE FOR STAMPING NUMBERS N SLABS OR THE LIKE Neil Herz Turner and Llewellyn North Lloyd, Scunthrope, England; said Turner assignor to said Lloyd Application August 6, 1947, Serial No. 766,568

In Great Britain April 18, 1946 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires April 18, 1966 I i This invention relates to a machine for stamp- .ing materials with numbers, letters or other stamping of slabs, bars, billets and sections as they leave the rolling mill; however, it is not limited to this use and may be employed on other classes of goods during or after manu facture.

In a number stamping machine in accordance with the present invention a stamping head, comprising type Wheels or other marking elements and means for imparting a stamping blow to these elements, is movable between a stamping position in which it is operated to stamp the work and a rest position in which it is clear of the work. In the preferred arrangement a number changing mechanism is mounted separately from the marking elements in a position adjacent that occupied by the marking elements when the stamping head is in its rest position, and can then be engaged with the marking elements if it is required to change their setting. 1 According to further features of the invention means are provided for permitting multiplanar adjustment of the position of the stamping head to suit changes in the form or position of the work to be stamped; the stamping head is supported on a repeater carriage which is movable between two or more predetermined positions, so that the machine can be used for stamping a multiple series of work pieces fed past the machine along two or more paths; electric control means are provided for effecting automatically the sequence of operations necessary to stamp a piece of work and these control means can be arranged to effect automatic stamping of either a single or a multiple series of work pieces but revert automatically to single series stamping should the multiple series discontinue. Other features of the invention will sufficiently appear from the following description of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention and from the appended claims. 4 The accompanying drawings show a machine constructed in accordance with the invention and designed for stamping serial numbers from 1 to 999 on to two parallel rolled steel sections while they are being sawn into lengths at the cooling banks. Its use is not, however, limited to this particular purpose. In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine with the lower part of the main column omitted;

8 Claims. (01. 101-4) Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine;

Figure 3 is an elevation of the stamping head with its operating and number changing mechanism, viewed in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through the stamping head and its supporting shaft;

Figure 5 is a cross section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4, and

Figure 6 is an electrical circuit diagram of the automatic control means.

Referring now to these drawings, and initially to Figures 1 to 3 thereof, the machine comprises a main column I on which a main bracket 8 is vertically adjustable by means of an elevating screw 2|. The main bracket supports a traversing table 3 which is horizontally adjustable thereon by means of a traversing screw and wheel 4. Pedestals 23 carried by the traversing table slidably support a repeater carriage 5, which can be moved relative to the traversing table to either of two positions (determined by the setting of the adjustable stops 2 on the traversing table) by means of cylinder 7 and piston 24. Cylinder 1 is attached to the repeater carriage while the piston is secured to the front pedestal 23, by the hollow piston rod 25.v The working fluid, generally compressed air, is admitted to the front end of the cylinder by means of the hollow piston rod and this end of the cylinder is in free connection with the source of supply of the fluid and thus under constant pressure. Working fluid is admitted to or released from the other end of the cylinder by the solenoid operated valve 6; thus owing to the difference between the effective areas of the front and back ends of the cylinder, due to the presence of the piston red at the front end, the cylinder and repeater carriage attached thereto can be caused to reciprocate between the stops 2.

At the forward end of the repeater carriage there is mounted on trunnions I5 a casing 26. This casing supports two continuously running electric motors 9A and 93 whose shafts are connected in a conventional manner through differential and reduction gearing contained within the casing to a shaft 22 which carries the stamping head. The purpose of this gearing is to control the revolutions of shaft 22 and, hence, the stamping operation, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. The stamping head comprises a fluid operated hammer (indicated generally at ll) whose piston carries three independently rotatable type wheels 26, each formed on its periphery with the numerals 0 to 9. The

I two work pieces l3 and M (which in the example shown are cut lengths of unequal mild steel angle) are moved under the numbering machine by live rolls l2 and located by'fences I and II or other suitable means. By means of the elevating wheel 2|, traversing wheel 4 and trunnions the position of the stamping head is adjusted so that when in the striking position (as shown in the drawings) it will deliver a blow' normal to the surface of the material being. stamped. At the same time, stops 2 are adjusted so that when the repeater carriage is against the front stop the stamping head will stamp the outer piece of material l4, and when against the: rear stop it will stamp the inner piece l3. By causing motors 9A and 93 to run at different speeds, shaft 22 can be rotated to move the stamping. head from its stamping position to a resting position in which adequate clearance is provided for the passage of the: work. Motors 9A and 9B are connectedto: shaft 22 by means of a; differential gearing: of conventional design. This gearing is diagrammatically shown in- Fig. 6. As will be apparent from this figure the shafts: of the two motors are aligned and carry gears 93, 94 both in mesh with athird: gear 95. This last gear is rotatably supported by a member 96 which is itself rotatable about theaxes of the motor shafts. Member 96 supports fixedly secured thereto a bevel gear 9-! in mesh with a bevel gear 98 on shaft22. When the: two motors-run at equal speeds (in opposite directions), gear 95 simply rotates about its axis while the support member 96 does not rotate. Any difference between the speeds of the two motors will result in a rotation of member 96 and thus of the bevel gears 91', 9'8- and of shaft22. Shaft 22- is also coupled to a rotary switch [3, the arrangement and function of which will be more fully described in connection with the. circuit diagram of Fig. 6 Casing alsosupports a timing switch l9 (the operation of which is described below) whose operating camshaft isgeared to the shaft 22 of the stamping head.

Pivotally mounted on casing 20' is the number changing mechanism, which comprises three wheels [6. When the striking head is in' its resting position these wheels [B are adjacent the type wheels 26- and can be engaged with them by operating a solenoid 18 to rotate the'number changing mechanism on its pivot. The wheels 16 are carried on concentric shafts which are geared together, so that the completion ofa revolution of the first (or second) wheel operates to advance the second (or third) wheel through one tenth of a revolution; The arrangement is such that when the number changing mechanism is rotated on its pivot by operation of the solenoid [8, the type wheels 26 (which are normally held locked against rotation) are first unlocked and engaged by the wheels l-'6-. Further movement of the number changing mechanism advances the first wheel I6- throughone tenth of a revolution (which in appropriate cases will cause the advance of the second and third wheels that the details thereof are not essential for the understanding of the present invention.

The construction of the stamping head is shown in Figures 4 and 5. In Figures 4 and 5 the stamping head is shown stamping position; but with the hammer piston stilla at the top of its stroke. The hammer piston 38 is secured to the upper end of a piston rod 28 whose lower end is secured to a cross head 21. The cross-head, which carries the rotatable type discs 26, slides in guides 23 carried by the bottom cover plate of the hammer cylinder 30.

Cylinder 30 has a liner 3| and the annular spaces 32, 34 and-35 in the cylinder wall connect through ports in the liner to the cylinder. The annuli 32, 34' and 35 are connected by ducts to passages 5|; 50 and 53 respectively in shaft 22. Piston 38 has an annular cavity 36 between it and the cylinder liner and this cavity is connected to the top skirt of the piston by ports 31. Thetop skirt of the piston is a sliding fit in the space between the cylinder liner and projection 39 of. the top cylinder cover, this space thus forming a cushion chamber;

Shaft 22. is journalled in an extension 42' of the gear casing 23: and the ducts and ports; in; the shaft and cooperating ports in a sleeve 43 contained in the gear box extension 42' form the rotary valvefor operating'the hammer. A flexible pipe (not shown) supplies working fluid under pressure to opening; 56 and: thence by the annular passage. in sleeve 43 to inlet ports 55' and 41:. The sleeve and gear box extension. also have a main exhaust orifice 44 which comiects by an annular passage to exhaust ports 52', 48 and 45 in the sleeve. The main exhaust orifice and its annular passage are in a different plane from the inlet port 55 and its annular: passage to port. 41 but exhaust ports 52. and 4B are in the same plane as the inletv ports and are connected to the exhaust annulus by longitudinal ducts cut in the outer periphery of the sleeve 43-. Exhaust port 45- is in the same plane as the exhaust annulus'and port 46 in shaft 22 is of such axial length that when in' the-appropriate angular positions it will connect with either inlet port 41 or exhaust port 45. Inlet port 54 in shaft 22 connects through duct 53 to annulus 35 in the-cylinder wall. Exhaust port 49' connects through duct 50 to annulus 34 in the cylinder and port 46. connects through ductv 5| to annulus 32 in the cylinder.

The operation of the hammer and rotary valve is. as follows. When the: parts are in the position shown, working fluid is admitted through ports 55 and. 54, duct 53, annuli 35 and 36 and ports 31 to the. top of the cylinder and. movement is imparted. to the piston 38.. After completing a portion of its stroke, the top skirt of the piston covers the inlet annulus35- and energy continues to be imparted. to the piston by expansion of the working fluid. At a later part of the stroke. the. bottom head of the piston passes beyond. annulus 3'4 and the working fluid in the top of the" cylinder is free to: escape through ports 3T, annuli 36 and 34 and duct 50 and ports 49 and 43 to exhaust: orifice 44'. While piston movement has been in progress, working fluid in the bottom of the: cylinder has been. free to escape through annuli 34 and 32' during the earlier part of the stroke. and through annulus 32 only during'the latter part, annulus 32 being. con-- nected': through duct 53! and ports 46 and. 45 to exhaust orifice. 44'. The kinetic energy imparted to the piston and hammerhead by the working fluid is dissipated when the numbering blow is struck. and the light spring 33 has. enough energy stored it to lift the. type just clear of the tric control means are shown in Figure 6.

stampe'dmaterial. When the differential gear returns the hammer to the rest position by rotation of shaft 22 port 49 and cylinder annulus 34 are closedto exhaust and at the same time port 54 and cylinder annulus 35 are closed to working fluid- When port 46 comes into-register with portv 41, pressure fluid is admitted to cylinder annulus 32', so that the. piston moves upwardly and compresses any working fluid reat the same time-the working fluid can leak off from the top of the cylinder through leak port 40, ports 31, annuli36 and 35, duct 53 and ports 54.and.52.. Thus in the rest position, the hammerhead and piston are held at the top of their stroke.

' The circuit connections of the automatic elec- In this diagram switches marked N/O are normally open and switches marked N/C are normally closed. SF are shunt fields, SFR are shunt field resistances and MS are motor starters for the two electric motors 9Av and 9B which drive through differential gearing the shaft (22 in Figures 3 to 5) of the stamping head and the cam shaft of timing switch l9. Switch l9 comprises seven individual switches lettered a to g.

Switches 5'! and 58 control the speeds of motors to it. This retards closure of the switch but allows itto open quickly. "switches '69 and BI are rest lock and striking lock switches respectively. Switch 60 is interlocked with the middle contacts of switch 58 and switch 6| through cam switch I90 with the left hand contacts of switch 51. Switches 63 andw66 are 'double impulse, the first impulse closing the switch and the second opening it. The solenoid circuits of these switches are completed through cam switch [911 interlocked with the right hand contacts of switch 57. Switch 65 is a'change-over switch for repeat stamping and 64 is an interlocking treadle switch operated by contact with the second piece to be stamped. Switch ,64 may be disposed below rolls'l2, as shown in Fig. land can be provided 'With an actuating stem 64 which is somewhat displaced when engaged by workpiece 13 thereby closing contacts within the switch. Devices of this kind are well known in the art.

The operation of the circuit is as follows. The stamping cycle is started by manual closure of push button 61. This closes switch 58 through cam switch l9a and retention contacts of switch 58 are completed through I91).v Closure of switch 58 completes the solenoid circuit of rest lock switch 6!] and thus opens it. At the same time, it short circuits the shunt field resistance of differential motor 9A and thus depresses its speed. This causes the stamping head to be revolved by the diiferential gear to the striking position and revolves cam switch l9 in synchronism with the stamping head. After completing a portion of the rotation the cam opens switch I9b which in turn opens switch 58 Motor 9A now decelerates a stop. In this position, cam switch [9c is closed which in turn closes switch Bl; this short circuits a, portion ofv the shunt field resistanceof motor 9A and thus causes it to offer a locking torque. -In:.this position the stamping blowis struck in the manner previouslydescribed. Ar

rival of the stamping head in the striking position has caused another cam to close switch Hg; this completesthe solenoid circuit ofv switch 51, but closure of thisv switch is delayed by the dashpot ,to give the hammer time to deliver its blow.

Closure of switch 5'! opens the left hand interlocking contacts on this switch which causes striking lock switch 61 to open. At the same time, it short circuits the field resistance of motor 93 and thus through the differential brings the hammer back to the rest position. Switch I9) has. the same function as switch I91) and the hammer comes to rest. against a stop. In this position switch l9e is opened which allows switch 60 to close. This short circuits some of thefield resistance of motor 513 and thus applies a locking torque to hold the hammer in the rest position'.

As shown, switch 65 is set for repeat stamping. If a second workpiece is in position to be stamped, it closes switch 64 and the operation of the repeater mechanism takes place as follows. Arrival of the hammer at the striking position closes cam switch I9d and thus as soon as switch 51 closes by the means described, the solenoid circuits of switches 63 and 66 will be completed and these switches will close. Switch 63 operates admission valve 6 of repeatercylinder 1 through itsattached solenoid. The working fluid admitted to that end of the cylinder causes it to move the repeater carriage to the inner position, for stamping the second piece of material. Closure of switch 66 short circuits push button 61 and thus when the hammer returns to the rest position a second stamping cycle is initiated through cam switch l9a. After the second piece of material'has been stamped, switches 53 and 66 are opened by a second impulsethrough cam switch I90. and the contacts in series with it on switch 51. This allows valve 6 to return to its normal exhaust position and the constant pressure at the other end of the repeater cylinder returns the carriage to its outer position shown in Figure 1. At the same time, switch 66 being open,-a new stamping cycle can only be started by manual closure of switch .61. If no second work piece is inposition to be stamped, switch .64 opens and no repeater action takes place even though switch 65 is set for repeat stamping.

Number changing is effected by means of push button switch 62. Closure of this switch completes the solenoid circuit of switch 59 through interlocking contacts on rest lock switch 6i].

der, a hammer piston slidable within said cylinder, a piston rod secured to said piston, relatively adjustable marking elements supported on the free end of said piston rod, the said cylinder including upper and lower ports communicating with cylinder spaces above the uppermost and below the lowermost operating positions of the the stamping head, which comes to rest against piston respectively, conduit means communicat- 7, ing with said ports in the cylinder above and be-.- low said piston, support and control means sup porting the stamping head, the said support and control means comprising a. rotatable shaft mounted perpendicularly to the axis of the piston movement, electric drive means for rotating .said shaft, electric switch means connected in circuit with said drive means for controlling the operation of the same, said shaft including channels and ports connecting said conduit means with or disconnecting the same from .a source of 'iiuid under pressure, the connection and disconnection of the conduit means being controlled by the rotational position of said shaft and the position of the piston in the .cylinder and causing the piston and with it the marking elements to be lowered into a stamping position in which athenmarking elements are in juxtaposition to the workpiece to be marked or to be raised into a rest position in which latter position the marking elements are clear of a workpiece to be stamped in response to a rotation of said shaft, .an .electrically controlled number changing mechanism adapted to coact with said marking elements for changing the setting of the latter, said number changing mechanism being mounted on the ma chine separately from said marking elements and positioned perpendicularly adjacent to the position occupied by the marking elements when the iston is in its rest position, means for moving the number changing mechanism into engagement with the marking elements when the piston is in the said rest position, and electric control means connected in circuit with said number changing mechanism for actuating the same for a setting operation when the piston is in the said rest position.

2. A number stamping machine as described in claim 1, in combination with means for adjusting the position of the stamping head thereby permitting adjusting of the stamping headzaccording to the shape of the respective work piece.

3. A number stamping machine as described in claim 1, in combination with a carriage, means for displacing said carriage in horizontal and vertical direction, and pivot means on the carriage supporting the stamping head pivotal about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the piston movement.

4. A number stamping machine as described in 3 claim 1, in combination with a pair of electric motors having different rotational speed and arranged to run continuously during operation of the machine, said motors being operatively connected with the stamping head for moving the 8: same between its rest and stamping positions by the differential rotation of the motors.

5. A number stamping machine as described in claim 1, in combination with a pair of electric motorshaving different torque and arranged to run contimionsly during operation of the machine, said motors being operatively connected with the stamp n head for moving the same between its rest and stamping positions by the differential torque of the motors.

6.. .A number stamping machine as described in claim 1., in combination with a carriage, means for displacing said carriage in horizontal and vertical direction, stop meansfor limiting movement of-wthe carriage either direction, and pivot means on the carriage supporting the stamping head pivotal about an axis perpendicular to the axis or the piston movement.

-7,. ,A number stamping machine as described in claim in combination with a carriage, means for displacing said carriage in horizontal and vertical direction, adjustable stop means for limiting the. carriage movement in either direct t-ion, fluid operated piston means for moving the carriage within the limits determined by the. st p means, and pivot means on the carriage supporting the stamping head pivotal about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the piston movement.

.8. A number stamping machine as described in claim. 7, in com ination with con uit means conmeeting said fluid operated carriage moving means with a source of fluid under pressure, electrically operated valve means ineludedin the said conduit means to;- controlling the admission to and the dischar e of fluid from the said carria e moving means, switch means connected in an enrergizing circuit with said valve means for controlling the actuation of the same, and cam means controlled by the movements of thestamning head and controlling the switch means for the purpose aforesaid.

NEIL HERZ TURNER.

NORTH LLOYD References Cited in the file, of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

